Here are some scenes from the sister march in Hamburg yesterday, where a few hundred people (far exceeding the turnout expected by the organizers) of all ages, shapes, and sizes turned up to march from the town hall to the U.S. Consulate General (a short walk through downtown and along the lake). It was very peaceful and a police escort accompanied us along the way, stopping traffic briefly to allow us to cross streets and keeping their eyes on us as we held a short vigil in front of the Consulate. The building remained dark, and afterwards the German police officers on duty there came by to ask us to pick up the candles people had left on the fence, reminding us not to litter.
As we chanted "Love not hate makes America great", it occurred to me that this might be the most patriotic I have ever felt, and how ironic to be thinking that on the first day of this new administration -- one which I fear does not represent or respect me or the majority of my loved ones, which makes me feel embarrassed for my country, and which fills me with a sadness so strong that listening to the news currently carries the risk of dissolving in a heap of emotions. As far as demonstrations go, it was pretty short and sweet, but standing there with fellow Smithies and Fulbrighters and Americans and Germans and so many other people with their own intricate histories and reasons for being there, I felt proud and grateful to be part of the movement of millions marching on that day.
Margaret, good for you, showing up at a big pivot-point.
ReplyDeleteFriends from Maine traveled to DC to participate. Have been keenly interested, and concerned. So did some research.
1) Follow-the-money, down the rabbit hole, is way too familiar. Turns out George Soros has been funding agents provocateurs in the US over the last year, and in Europe, much longer. NYT reports that he funded over 50 of the US women's march groups.
2) One of the women's organisers, Linda Sarsour, is pro-Palestinian rights; good on her. She also supports imposition of Sharia in the US. No interest loans!... and pssst genital mutilation as accepted practice?
3) Hillery, the hero of many of the marchers, accepted Clinton Foundation millions from regimes violent toward women and gays. 95% of the charitable contributions lined the Clinton coffers and functioned as bribes for favors.
As global peoples we are very much swayed by memes and hot buttons, many of them not spontaneous at all.
Thank you for your report, Margaret, and your photographic skills. Much appreciated.